The Secret Life of Political Parties: How Gatekeepers Make or Break Democracies

When you think of democracy, you probably picture voting booths, campaign rallies, and passionate debates on cable news. But Levitsky and Ziblatt’s research reveals a different, often invisible, battleground: the inner sanctums of political parties. For much of modern history, these institutions acted as democracy’s gatekeepers, filtering out the ambitious, the unfit, and the dangerously charismatic. The infamous 'smoke-filled rooms'—where party bosses chose candidates—were not just metaphors, but real places where democracy was both protected and limited.

This system wasn’t perfect. It excluded women, minorities, and ordinary citizens from meaningful participation. Yet, it also kept extremists and demagogues from capturing the party machinery. The move toward primary elections and open nominations in the late 20th century was hailed as a victory for democracy, but it came with a hidden cost: the weakening of party gatekeeping.

Today, celebrity, wealth, and social media can propel outsiders to the top, bypassing traditional filters. Sometimes that means fresh ideas and new voices. But it can also mean the rise of candidates who threaten the very system they seek to lead. The lesson? Democracy needs both openness and safeguards. When parties fail to screen candidates, the risk of democratic backsliding grows. The challenge for the 21st century is finding the right balance between elite judgment and popular participation—before it’s too late. 2 3